Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

March 2009 in “ Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery ”

Seema Garg, A.G. Messenger

alopecia areata nonscarring hair loss corticosteroids topical sensitizers PUVA minoxidil dithranol Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review discusses evidence for alopecia areata treatments, highlighting their ability to stimulate hair growth but noting limited data on long-term efficacy and impact on quality of life.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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Research cited in this study

23 / 23 results

research Interventions for Alopecia Areata

164 citations , April 2008 in “Cochrane library”

This review of interventions for alopecia areata found no significant treatment benefits for hair growth compared to placebo, indicating a need for larger, well-conducted studies.

research Genomewide Scan for Linkage Reveals Evidence of Several Susceptibility Loci for Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2007 in “The American Journal of Human Genetics”

This study identified four genetic loci on chromosomes 6, 10, 16, and 18 that may contribute to susceptibility for alopecia areata and suggested shared genetic factors with psoriasis.

research Efficacy And Safety Of A New Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Foam In Alopecia Areata: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

114 citations , October 2006 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, clobetasol propionate foam demonstrated effectiveness and good patient compliance as a safe topical treatment for moderate to severe alopecia areata, with significant hair regrowth compared to placebo.

research Placebo-Controlled Oral Pulse Prednisolone Therapy in Alopecia Areata

141 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, oral prednisolone pulse therapy led to significant hair regrowth in some patients with extensive alopecia areata, whereas no improvement was seen in the placebo group.

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

These guidelines for alopecia areata management, prepared by the British Association of Dermatologists, provide evidence-based treatment recommendations and insights into the condition's epidemiology, diagnosis, and investigation.

Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

research Efficacy of Betamethasone Valerate Foam Formulation in Comparison with Betamethasone Dipropionate Lotion in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Investigator-Blinded Trial

66 citations , July 2003 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that betamethasone valerate foam was more effective and well-tolerated than betamethasone dipropionate lotion in treating mild-to-moderate alopecia areata, with higher hair regrowth rates observed.

research Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Under Occlusion in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis/Universalis

146 citations , July 2003 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment was found to induce hair regrowth in 28.5% of patients with severe alopecia areata under occlusive conditions, though long-term benefit was limited to 17.8%.

research Sulfasalazine for Alopecia Areata

62 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, sulfasalazine treatment resulted in cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth in 23% of patients with severe alopecia areata in whom a response could be determined.

research Efficacy of Topical Sensitizers in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

132 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers in treating alopecia areata but reports no new clinical findings.

research The Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

89 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata through a systems biology lens, emphasizing the role of multi-omics data integration to explore molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, but offers no new clinical results.

research Pulsed Administration of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

117 citations , February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that monthly oral prednisolone pulses of 300 mg were effective and safe for treating widespread alopecia areata, with 58.3% of patients achieving cosmetically acceptable hair growth.

research PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Partialis, Totalis, and Universalis: Audit of 10 Years' Experience at St John's Institute of Dermatology

105 citations , December 1995 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This retrospective study concluded that PUVA treatment is generally ineffective for alopecia areata, with low effective success rates for partialis, totalis, and universalis types.

research Vitiligo Complicating Diphencyprone Sensitization Therapy for Alopecia Universalis

47 citations , September 1995 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This review discusses the complication of vitiligo in patients undergoing diphencyprone sensitization therapy for alopecia universalis and reports no new clinical findings.

research Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, tapering prednisone followed by 2% topical minoxidil helped limit hair loss in some patients with alopecia areata, with 30% to 47% showing over 25% hair regrowth initially.

research Alopecia Areata in Children: Response to Treatment with Diphencyprone

84 citations , August 1991 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 67% of children treated with diphencyprone for alopecia areata or alopecia totalis regrew scalp hair, with 33% achieving complete regrowth.

research 3 Percent Topical Minoxidil Compared With Placebo for the Treatment of Chronic Severe Alopecia Areata

26 citations , June 1988 in “PubMed”

This study found that 3 percent topical minoxidil solution was ineffective in treating severe chronic alopecia areata, as it did not produce cosmetically acceptable hair regrowth.

research Evaluation of Anthralin in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

109 citations , November 1987 in “Archives of dermatology”

In this study, 0.5%-1.0% anthralin cream led to a cosmetic response in 25% of patients with severe alopecia areata, despite common side effects like pruritus and erythema.

research Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Evaluation of Topical Minoxidil in Extensive Alopecia Areata

104 citations , March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair growth in 63.6% of alopecia patients, with 27.3% having excellent results.

research A Trial of 1% Minoxidil Used Topically for Severe Alopecia Areata

37 citations , March 1986 in “Acta Dermato Venereologica”

In this study, there was no significant difference in hair growth between patients with extensive alopecia areata treated with 1% minoxidil and those receiving a placebo.

research Topical Photochemotherapy for Alopecia Areata

63 citations , April 1985 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study observed that topical PUVA treatment led to excellent or good hair regrowth in 45.4% of patients with alopecia areata, though many experienced relapse after treatment stopped.

research Alopecia Areata: Pathogenesis And Treatment

122 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the potential autoimmune pathogenesis and various contributing factors of alopecia areata, noting that current treatments remain palliative while emerging therapies offer new hope for extensive cases.

research Large Doses of Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , November 1975 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

This study found that while some patients with severe alopecia areata responded to high-dose prednisolone, the response was inconsistent and the therapy's risks prevent recommending it for general use.

research A Comparison of Intralesional Triamcinolone Hexacetonide and Triamcinolone Acetonide in Alopecia Areata

75 citations , September 1971 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that both intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and triamcinolone hexacetonide promote continuous hair growth in alopecia areata, with effects lasting at least 9 months after a single injection.